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  • Monosodium Glutamate. Is it bad for you?

    I can't tolerate MSG and avoid it when I can read a label. It makes me dizzy and nauseous. Sometimes after I eat some foods I feel the same way and after reading an email about MSG – I think I know better what is going on.  MSG or HVP [Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein / another name for MSG] is in a lot of food we eat at home or eat out – in both fast and slow food places and it is addictive!

    What does MSG do?  It makes food "taste better."  This from the http://www.msgfacts.com  website. 

    MSG has been touted as a health benefit  – especially for older people as it causes them to eat more; although I would never equate eating more with getting better nutrition.

    There have been studies showing that monosodium glutamate [MSG] is addictive and is related to obesity.  It is like nicotine in that it is a known additive that creates an addiction – but that no one wants to admit to.  It would mean taking on the food industry.  [The MSG fact website says it is not true that MSG is related to obesity.]

    www.truthinlabeling.org

    Then today when reading posts on Facebook I saw a post from http://facebook.com/jane.e.johnson  [thank you]  indicating that MSG is in flu vaccines and here is the site she mentioned  http://truthinlabeling.org.  This site offers a long list of research related to MSG and its effects.  

    Rather than argue whose research is correct – I shall continue to avoid all food with MSG or HVP especially when I know what it does to me and my body and I keep read material like this.

    Read the research and, as usual,  be the intelligent consumer I know you are.   Ask for the ingredient list and see if MSG or Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein is listed in any of the foods on your plate.

  • Aging and Weight Gain – is it a given?

    I've had a few discussions with friends lately about aging and weight gain. 
    I think it's a myth that you MUST gain weight as you age yet many I know believe that getting fatter is an inevitable part of aging.  Yes – our body changes but the changes need not lead to increased weight. Our metabolisms slow down so we aren't burning as many calories as we used to – but cutting back on calories helps solve that.
    And don't forget that muscle weighs more than fat so if you work out – you will lose inches but not necessarily a lot of weight.  Losing the weight may come at a slower pace than losing the inches; but being leaner [inch loss] is a good thing and a good goal to aim for. 
    Each body works differently one to another.  We have different genetics and different metabolisms – which is why I believe there can never be a "for everyone" diet.   Yet I see eating recommendations that are posted as works for everyone.  
    Take a look at the people around you – some are thin, some are more muscular, some are tall, some are short, some are men, some are women, etc.  Should they all be eating the same foods in the same proportions?  Nope!  Just as for most things – one size can't or doesn't work for all when it comes to human bodies and eating.  And it's why many yo-yo when trying any of these "diets."  The body loses water or muscle and the weight comes back because we need water and muscle!
    good foods
    I learned a while ago that I am a protein eater…my metabolism needs more protein per meal than my very active friend who needs more carbohydrates per meal.  If I ate as much in carbohydrates as she does – I'd balloon and not only gain weight but get lethargic.  If she ate as much protein as I do, she'd feel lethargic.  Is something wrong with either of us?  No – we just have very different metabolisms.  Different strokes for different folks and their metabolic profiles 
    There is a short questionnaire that assesses your metabolic profile.  If you would like more information about this or you have interest in taking the questionnaire – fill in the information box on the side and request a free 30-minute consultation.  That's about what it takes for this questionnaire [and I’m not selling you anything – just doling out information and advice.]

      

     

     

  • The PEX Plumbing Project

    Last winter my pipes froze and burst   and I did not have water to all of my house til this Fall when we finally figured out the best way to re-do the plumbing for the entire house  and it's a 2-part house to boot.

    The answer was to have it all inside [Yea for indoor plumbing ] and not under the floor where it had been and was only reachable by pulling up the floor.  Remember – I float on a river.

    The solution was PEX plumbing and here is Jesse and the PEX plumbing project.  The connection between the two parts is outside but VERY well insulated… and besides PEX is not going to burst.

    So glad this stuff exists.

  • Exercise and FUN

    I always say if something is not fun; it’s not for me and I can only guess that others feel the same way.

    Exercise is one of those things that needs to be fun if you want or expect people to get some activity into their lives.

    Well the Swedes found a way to do this.   In the USA we suggest people take the stairs instead of the escalators to help combat obesity and to lose weight.  But I bet most still use the escalators.

    The Swedes?  Watch this video!

     

    What would you do if you had this choice?  Comment below.

     

     

  • Mail like this makes me ANGRY

    Today I got this in the mail.

    a bit misleading

    The most noticeable feature of the envelope is the black and white pattern – along with the  ALL CAPS WORDS TELLING ME HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS – AND THAT. IT. IS. RELATED.TO. MEDICARE!!

    Only if you turn the envelope over and read the much smaller print that says " This is an advertisement" do you know it’s not really from the Social Security Adminsitration – why?

    Because below is what an offical envelope from Social Security looks like.

    official envelope from Social Security

    Hmmm… Legal?  Yes.  Misleading?  To many – also a yes!   And of course the leter inside lets you know that you can call for FREE INFORMATION  [also all caps]  and that if you give them your phone number you are giving them permission to have a sales representative call you.

    If you or anyone you know are Medicare eligible – PLEASE warn them about these letters.